The Destrehan Wildcats remained perfect on the season after storming back from a second-quarter deficit to knock off South Lafourche, 49-24.
The Wildcats (8-0, 4-0) looked like they would blow South Lafourche away after taking a 21-0 lead less than six minutes into the game, but a disastrous second quarter allowed the Tarpons to get back into the game. South Lafourche cut into the Destrehan lead with a 65-yard, 12-play drive to end the first quarter. After that drive, everything seemed to fall apart for the Wildcats.
Destrehan struggled offensively for much of the second quarter while the ball seemed to continuously bounce South Lafourche’s way. The Tarpons got within a touchdown after picking up a mishandled snap in the end zone.
The Tarpons took the lead a few minutes later after Destrehan punter Cameron Walsh’s knee touched the ground when he fielded a snap at his own eight-yard line. South Lafourche scored a play later and successfully made a 2-point conversion to take a 22-21 lead.
After that, Destrehan’s offense got thing together with a drive that rejuvenated the squad.
After a short kickoff, the Wildcats took over on their own 49-yard line with just 1:19 left until the half. On first down, Destrehan quarterback Donovan Isom was sacked for a five-yard loss, but the Wildcats weren’t content to go into the break without the lead.
On the next play, Isom found junior receiver Kirk Merritt open in the flat. Merritt cut outside and rode the left sideline for a 44-yard gain to the South Lafourche 10-yard line.
After an incomplete pass, Isom used his feet to give his team the advantage, scoring on a 10-yard run to put the Wildcats up 27-22 with 33 seconds left in the quarter.
After that drive, the Wildcats regained their composure in the third quarter and systematically took apart the Tarpons.
Isom found Merritt again for a huge gain on his team’s first possession of the quarter. Next, Isom fired a pass to sophomore receiver John Williams, who brought the ball to the South Lafourche three-yard line. Will Matthews took over from there and scored on a short run to put Destrehan up 35-22.
On South Lafourche’s next series, Wildcat linebacker RaeJuan Marbley made the Tarpons pay. All game, South Lafourche used a rugby-style punt where running back Jake Williams took the snap, ran to the left and kicked the ball.
This time, the Wildcats were ready.
Marbley was waiting on the left side and rushed Williams after the snap. Right as Williams prepared to kick, Marbley dove into the air and knocked the ball down. It was later recovered at the South Lafourche 15.
Isom used his feet to get out of trouble and rumbled 15 yards to put the Wildcats up 42-22.
With only seconds left in the third quarter, Destrehan cornerback Denzel Arceneaux recorded his second interception of the night and gave his team the ball on the South Lafourche 31-yard line.
On the next play, Isom scrambled 31 yards and put the Wildcats on top 49-22.
Destrehan’s first score of the game came on a 55-yard pass from Isom to Alfred Smith. Three minutes later, Isom connected with Tramaine Armstrong to give the Wildcats a 14-0 lead.
Destrehan went up 21-0 after Korian Reynaud scooped up a fumble on a kick off return and brought it in for the score.
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